Africa-Press – Namibia. BRAVE Warriors captain Peter Shalulile’s exploits for Mamelodi Sundowns last year makes him the most valuable PSL star heading into 2022, according to kickoff.com.
No player enjoyed a greater 2021 than the indefatigable Shalulile. The Namibian forward won the 2020/21 PSL Footballer of the Year and Players’ Player of the Season awards, after guiding Masandawana to yet another league crown.
And Shalulile looks set to repeat that feat again, this time around after scoring a league-high 13 goals in 19 appearances during the second half of the year, and it comes as no surprise to see him rank as the division’s most valuable player. The hardworking Shalulile has fired Mamelodi Sundowns to a commanding 14 point lead in the log standings.
The former Highlands Park star is currently valued at N$28,99 million by Transfermarkt, which sees him top the standings ahead of teammate Themba Zwane, who starts the new year in second place at a figure of N$27,06 million. Speaking on how he has managed to maintain such a level of consistency, ‘Sha Sha’ attributed the rewards on the pitch to the work that goes on on the training ground.
“It’s just about the work you put in and the extra work on top of that. At the time when people are sleeping, you just have to put in the work,” Shalilile said in an interview with sundownsfc.co.za on Friday.
“What keeps me going is simply the fact that I just want the club and my teammates to be happy and for the club to do well. I also get my motivation from players abroad that are also doing well, that helps me to push every day to stay at this level. Its not easy scoring but we work so hard to make sure we are able to score each and every day.”
Shalulile’s compatriot Deon Hotto ranks seventh for his standout displays during an inconsistent period for Orlando Pirates. His out-of-sorts teammate and defender Thulani Hlatshwayo remains ranked as the league’s third-most valuable footballer, although he now shares that honour with Kaizer Chiefs’ Khama Billiat, with both players carrying a N$25,13 million tag.
The SuperSport United duo of Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena feature next, alongside Sundowns’ Thapelo Morena and Pirates’ Hotto, before Andile Jali, Keagan Dolly and Innocent Maela round out the top 10
Meanwhile, another Namibian will be looking to make his mark in the PSL this year after target man Elmo Kambindu reportedly signed for Sekhukhune United.
The battering ram is said to have penned a one-year deal with the South African Premiership rookies and there is an option to extend the contract. Kambindu last played for Mozambican outfit Costa do Sol and is currently preparing himself for a new life in the PSL, where he hopes to emulate his compatriots.
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